UConn vs. Notre Dame: Who has the edge?

Published 4:25 pm, Saturday, April 6, 2013

UConn vs. Notre Dame: Who has the edge?

(UConn players listed first)

Point guard

5-foot-10 Sr. Caroline Doty (5) vs. 5-9 Sr. Skylar Diggins (4): Doty provides plenty of experience and leadership for the Huskies. But she is scoreless (0-of-9 FG) in 103 minutes over the last five games against Notre Dame. Diggins, simply put, is the best guard in the nation. And in her final NCAA tournament, she has played that way, averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 3.0 steals. Not to mention that she is averaging 19.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.0 steals in the last four games against UConn. Edge: ND

Shooting guard

5-11 Sr. Kelly Faris (34) vs. 5-10 Fr. Jewell Loyd (32): Faris is as steady as any player in the country. She is averaging 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the tournament and is a lockdown-type defender. Loyd, who has been named the National Freshman of the Year, has further stepped up in the tournament (18.3p, 5.3r. 2.0a). But playing in the national semifinals for the first time might just be her biggest test yet. Edge: UConn

Center

6-5 Jr. Stefanie Dolson (31) vs. 6-3 Jr. Natalie Achonwa (11): Dolson has proven to be one of the top centers in the country this season, earning All-America honors for the first time in her career. However, she is dealing with a stress fracture in her right ankle and plantar fasciitis in her left foot. Her health is a big key for the Huskies. Achonwa had posted three straight double-doubles and is averaging 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in the tournament. She also made the game-winning layup in the Big East tournament final March 12. Edge: UConn

Small Forward

6-0 Soph. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (23) vs. 5-11 Jr. Kayla McBride (21): Mosqueda-Lewis is a game-changer for the Huskies. She is their leading scorer in the tournament (19.5) and leads the nation in 3-point shooting (.489). She has not come through against the Irish of late, and this is something she desperately wants to rectify. McBride has been a UConn-killer this season, averaging 23.3 points in the first three games. She is also averaging a team-high 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the tournament. Edge: UConn

Power forward

6-4 Fr. Breanna Stewart (30) vs. 6-1 Jr. Ariel Braker (44): Stewart has lived up to the immense hype since the start of the Big East tournament. She was named the Bridgeport Regional Most Outstanding Player and is averaging 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in the tournament. Braker is a rugged inside presence for the Irish who has the ability to find the open man. She is averaging 6.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the tournament. Edge: UConn

BENCH

This is not close. The decision by UConn coach Geno Auriemma to bring All-American Bria Hartley off the bench has worked well. She is averaging 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and a team-high 3.8 assists in the tournament. Coupled with the inspired play of freshmen Moriah Jefferson (9.5p, 2.3a, 2.5s) and Morgan Tuck (10.8p), the Huskies have received exceptional production from their reserves. Kaila Turner, Markisha Wright and Madison Cable are averaging a combined 7.3 points. 5.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Irish. Edge: UConn.

COACHING: Geno Auriemma has led UConn to an NCAA-record sixth straight Final Four appearance (14 overall). He is aiming to win an NCAA record-tying eighth national championship and is second all-time with 14 wins in the Final Four. Muffet McGraw has led Notre Dame to three straight trips to the Final Four (five overall) and is still looking for a second national championship after reaching the title game in each of the last two seasons. The Irish have also won four straight games against UConn and seven of eight overall in the series. However, this is a stage where Auriemma shines. Edge: UConn